State Senator Natalia Fernandez said, “The governor’s budget proposals for mental health reflect the long-overdue seriousness that is as serious as the problem itself. A significant increase in spending from 2023 should lead to a wave of positive outcomes for issues that are inextricable from mental health and substance abuse. I am encouraged to see Governor Hochul take this step. To continue to make a difference in the future, we need intergovernmental coordination between city, state, and federal officials as well as increased funding through multiple agencies where mental health and substance use coincide.”
Assembly member Yodelka Tapia said, “Governor Hochul’s announcement of a $1 billion investment for our mental health system, including expansion of school mental health services, housing services for people with developmental disabilities, suicide prevention programs and substance abuse programs, is a game changer for underserved communities of people.” Like mine. I celebrate and thank Governor Cathy Hochul for her commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable.”
Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx Borough President, said, “For far too long, New York’s most vulnerable have been denied the robust mental, emotional, and physical services they deserve and so desperately need to thrive. We are grateful for Governor Hochul’s plan that looks to change this by increasing capacity for inpatient psychotherapy by 1,000 beds, while adding units I want to thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in addressing an issue that will strengthen and bring healing to the many who have suffered throughout our communities.”
Councilwoman Marjorie Velasquez said, “Mental health continues to be a public health crisis, and Governor Hochul’s investment to reduce this crisis will greatly improve the lives of individuals and our community as a whole. New Yorkers, including our students, deserve access to mental health care, without having to face financial barriers. We can and we will addressing the crisis head on and identifying solutions that will truly benefit our communities and our city.”
Unique People Services Executive Director Yvette Brissett-Andre said, “Governor Hochul has presented a real plan for the future that supports the life-saving work of organizations that serve the needs of vulnerable New Yorkers. Her investments in community services and supportive housing will help many children, adults and families reach their full potential and thrive in the communities they call home.”
Montefiore Medical Center President Dr Philip Ozuah said, “In her first speech as governor, Kathy Hochul vowed to be a hero and farewell to all New Yorkers. Her budget proposal, and her $1 billion commitment to address mental health challenges deliver on that promise. I am grateful that she chose to unveil her plans here at Montefiore/Einstein and for the gratitude she has shown to our community “.
New York State Mental Health Association CEO Glenn Lippman said, “Governor Hochul and Commissioner Sullivan have laid out a bold vision for mental health for the future that includes housing, youth mental health, and parity in insurance. We strongly support this commitment to strengthening and transforming the mental health care system and will continue to work with the Governor and legislature on our priorities as the budget process continues.”
NAMI-NYS Interim Executive Director Sharon Horton said, NAMI-NYS commends Governor Hochul for making mental health a real priority in her budget proposal and for discussing how mental health issues negatively affect her family in her budget headline. NAMI-NYS thanks the Governor for taking measures that are in line with our leadership priority call; the need to expand access to support and mental health services and the adoption of recommendations made by NAMI-NYS for more than a decade. The Governor’s plan boldly aims to increase access for all those across a wide range of mental disorders by funding both inpatient and community services. We also encourage seeing the Governor aim to improve admissions practices hospitalization and discharge that NAMI-NYS has long criticized, as well as addressing the lack of insurance parity that prevents people from accessing services and expanding mental health services for New York children.”
Independent Living Executive Director Ralph Fasano said, “We applaud the Governor for her comprehensive plan to support people with mental illness, ensuring they get the services they need across the entire continuum of care. Her initiatives will help end hospital readmissions by providing people with needed assistance once they are discharged from the hospital, as they transition into community services and in The ultimate permanent supportive housing.
Community Life Institute President and CEO Jodi Rudin said, “Governor Hochul’s plan invests in the right places, along with the gamut of evidence-based programs, from prevention to continuity. It smartly increases funding for youth mental health services, programs like ACT, SOS, and CTI that support the hardest to treat, and for more housing with comprehensive services.” “It’s the best prescription a doctor can write. It’s a transformational plan that has the potential to take us from a fragmented system to a holistic system by building on trauma-informed community programs that help people get better.”
Vibrant Emotional Health President and CEO Kimberly A. williams, “We are very pleased to see a focus on mental health funding in Governor Hochul’s state budget. New York State is a leader in many areas across the country, and this unprecedented level of funding for mental health services is another example of this. It is a nonprofit mental health organization Headquartered in New York with a national footprint, we hope that this type of funding expansion will be the norm and we will continue to advocate for it to be so.”